Carlson's Best Life: 1/3/10

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Tree Climbing, Tangerines and Thanksgiving Lunch

Girl Talk

Grandmother had a blast with all of us. She just glowed with pride as all of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren gathered at her home.

Awww....HOW SWEET!

Jennifer and Heather just like old times.

Say "TANGERINES....." Yes, there were a lot of tangerines on that tree. As always grandmother wanted to make sure we picked a "mess" of em' (as grandmother would have put it.)

How many tangerines can you eat? Enough to get a tummy ache.

It just amazes me, the family history of this awesome Cedar tree. I spent many afternoons sitting in the same tree chatting with my cousin, swinging from branch to branch and competing to see who could climb the highest. However, my Grandfather made it clear that there was a limit to high you could get. We could not go past the power line...LOL.

A Time to be Thankful and A Time to Give Back

What do you get when you take two little energetic girls to a community outreach to feed those in need? Two girls who gave unconditionally of their time and energy without a second thought. It truly was a beautiful moment and in the top ten of life's experiences. My niece Abbie and daughter Alana worked so hard getting pumkin pie into the plates and making sure that each person that came got exactly the amount of plates that they needed. I guess this gave new meaning to the parable where Jesus told the disciples to suffer not the children to come unto him. I think on this day the Lord would have said, "Suffer not the children to show my LOVE." Yes, they are our little angels, but also JESUS'S extention of love to a lost and dieing world. Let us not underestimate them but challenge them to do even greater things that what we could ever do.

August in Review

August has been a very busy month and we are not quite done yet. Micah turned 5 months on August 16, and is doing so much: sitting on his own, playing every morning and afternoon in his activity saucer for 15 minutes at a time, pushing up on his forearms and getting on his knees when he is on his belly. He has also already cut his two front bottom teeth and appears to be working on cutting a top tooth. I'm thinking we are going to have a crawler very soon. He is growing so quickly and we are totally captivated by his every move.
Alana is getting ready to begin 2nd grade. I just can't believe that my child is going into 2nd grade. Where has all of the time gone? She is full of energy, love and zeal for life. Her typical days in the month of August have consisted of play dates, swimming, riding her bike, Bible School (she attended 5 this summer), traveling and hanging out with the family. I have promised her that we WILL go to the beach before summer ends, so I have two weeks left to make that promise come true.
Jim hashad a busy month so far and we are praising God for his new position/transfer closer to home. He will begin at his new location on the September 1, and we are so happy that he will be closer to home now. We are going to really enjoy meeting him for lunch and getting to kiss and hug him goodbye in the mornings now that he will not be leavign quite so early. God is AWESOME!!!! He always works things out for the good for those who love him (just a little paraphrasing..lol)
I have also had a busy month so far. One of the memorable things I've done this month besides playing the role of mom and giving vocal and piano lessons was being a part of the Royal Tea hosted by the 1st P.H. Church. It was a great experience and the guests speaker, Connie Hale, really spoke a message that penetrated deeply. Her word somewhat revived my heart and reminded me of the quality of life I have as a "Daughter of the King." I have willfully let go every unkind, critical and negative word ever spoken over me. I have determined that I WILL NOT listen to, entertain or accept any opinion of me given by others that is contrary to the words and thoughts of GOD. I am living a more productive and satisfying life because of it.
Below are a few pictures to document this month. I will obviously be adding more pics as the month comes to an end. In the future I will only update this section on a monthly basis.